Abstract: A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dirt container having a chamber with an upper opening, and a removable filter element. The filter element has an upper portion with an opening and a peripheral edge that engages an upper edge of the chamber. A filter portion extends from the upper portion, and a handle extends across the opening. The filter portion extends into the chamber when the filter element is mounted thereto. Also provided is an upright vacuum cleaner with a base unit, body unit , and dirt chamber removably mounted to the body unit. A combined filter and lid is mounted to the dirt chamber, and includes a filter member, and a mounting ring extending from the filter member to a sidewall of the dirt chamber to hold the filtration device at a fixed location away from the chamber sidewall. Also provided is a cyclone lid having an annular wall, filter, and handle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a nonwoven filtration media comprising a bonded mix of different, discontinuous, thermoplastic resin fibers and optionally discontinuous cellulosic fibers. In some embodiments a tackifier is added to the nonwoven filtration media to provide a sticky or adhesive surface on the fibers. The nonwoven media has an advantageous combination of stiffness, foldability, efficiency and the ability to retain a fold. The nonwoven media can be thermally bonded during the production process. The advantageous combination of mechanical properties allow the disclosed nonwoven media to accept and retain folds and pleats better than some conventional filtration materials while the mix of different fibers provides desirable filtration properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to immobilized phosphatidic acid probes which can be used to identify important proteins for signal transduction, housekeeping and diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a switchgear apparatus. More particularly, the invention encompasses an electrical insulation barrier having knock-out features for a switchgear apparatus. The present invention also relates to enclosures for switchgear, panel boards, circuit breakers, and more particularly to an enclosure for low voltage switchgear and switchboard assemblies. The enclosure can be a walk-in type enclosure or a non-walk-in type enclosure. This invention further provides a rear barrier for switchgear vertical (section) bus insulation assembly. The rear barrier is made from a brittle material, such as, for example, a thermoset insulating material, a glass reinforced polyester laminate (GPO-2 or GPO-3) material, and has a plurality of knock-out pass-through-openings for the bus bars and other hardware.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrical insulation barriers. More particularly, the invention encompasses an electrical insulation barrier having knock-out features for an electronic apparatus. The electrical insulation barrier is preferably made from a brittle material, such as, for example, a thermoset insulating material, a glass reinforced polyester laminate material (such as, for example, GPO-1, GPO-2, GPO-3), and the like. The electrical insulation barrier is preferably used to insulate and/or isolate electrical conductors. With this invention a single master or universal type part can be made and used in many configurations and locations dependent on the design of the electronic apparatus. The invention allows for the creation of one or more opening in the electrical insulation barrier by knocking-out or removing one or more pre-defined shapes to allow clearance for intersecting electrical parts.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a floor engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted on the base unit, and a dirt chamber removably mounted to the body unit. A filtration device is removably mounted to the dirt chamber, and includes a first member projecting into the dirt chamber and being adapted to allow air to pass therethrough and remove particles from the airflow, and a second member extending from the first member to a sidewall of the dirt chamber to hold the filtration device at a fixed vertical location within the dirt chamber.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for skin treatment or other applications includes a laser diode module controller that is configured to operate one or more laser diodes that are situated to provide optical radiation to an exposure aperture. A two-dimensional position sensor is secured to the exposure aperture and provides an exposure aperture translation signal that is coupled to the laser diode module controller. Delivery of optical radiation to the exposure aperture by the laser diode module controller is based on an exposure aperture translation or velocity that is estimated based on the exposure aperture translation signal. In addition, a clock or timer is coupled to the laser diode module controller to permit selection of laser diode pulse duty cycle or to provide safe or comfortable skin treatment. The two dimensional position sensor can be based on optical sensing such as provided in an optical mouse, and can also provide proximity sensing for safe, efficient operation.

Abstract: A system for controlling landing gear of an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor for sensing water, wherein the sensor is coupled to the landing gear and a retracting device for retracting the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In one alternative, the aircraft is an amphibious aircraft and the sensor senses electrical conductivity. In another alternative, the retracting device comprises a hydraulic system for deploying and retracting the landing gear, wherein the hydraulic system retracts the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In yet another alternative, the retracting device comprises a locking mechanism that locks the landing gear to the aircraft, wherein the locking mechanism unlocks the landing gear so as to detach it from the aircraft when the sensor senses a body of water.

Abstract: A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.

Abstract: An upright suction cleaner having a base, a body pivotally mounted on the base, a suction device, and a dirt separation system. The dirt separation system has a first and second dirt separators. the first of which may include an air-pervious shroud having a plate extending from it. An airflow path extends from the base, through the separation system, and into the suction device. A dirt collecting system is mountable to the body, and includes a first chamber to receive dirt separated by the first dirt separator, and a second chamber to receive dirt separated by the second dirt separator. The chambers are adjacent one another when mounted to the body. A tube forming part of the airflow path between the dirt separation system and the suction device is selectively mountable adjacent the dirt collecting system. An elevator assembly is provided to attach the dirt collecting system to the body.

Abstract: A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit, a suction generating device, and first and second dirt separation members. The first dirt separation chamber includes an inlet to receive airflow from the base unit, an outlet, a filter between the inlet and outlet, and a collection chamber having a bottom disposed below the first filter and a sidewall extending upwards from the bottom. The filter has a surface extending in a first direction, and the surface is adapted to pass the airflow radially therethrough. The second dirt separation member includes a cyclone body, an inlet to receive airflow from the first chamber outlet, and an outlet to convey airflow to the suction generating device. This outlet includes a cyclone outlet tube located within and at a first end of the cyclone body and extending in a second direction. A dirt outlet is located opposite the first end of the cyclone body. Another collection chamber is connected to the dirt outlet.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater has main and pilot burners disposed in its combustion chamber. All of the primary combustion air utilized by the main and pilot burners during firing thereof is supplied thereto via an enclosed path extending to the burners from outside of the combustion chamber. A burner clogging detection system is operative to shut down further combustion, upon sensing a condition of the pilot burner flame indicative of a predetermined degree of pilot burner clogging, prior to the main burner being clogged to an unacceptable degree by particulate matter entrained in incoming combustion air being delivered to the main burner. The pilot burner may be mounted on the main burner in a variety of locations thereon.

Abstract: A safety device for a fixed wing aircraft includes a strip positioned around propeller blades. In one alternative, the strip has a circular shape and a cross-sectional airfoil shape wherein the strip is coupled with any one of a trailing edge of the fixed wing and a leading edge of the fixed wing. In another alternative, the safety device includes a light coupled -with the strip or integrated in a surface of the strip. In yet another alternative, the safety device for the fixed wing aircraft includes a propeller having blades that rotate and a strip positioned around at least a part of a rotational path of outer tips of the blades when rotating.

Abstract: A component for a hull-type seaplane is disclosed. The component includes a first sponson-shaped element that provides buoyancy in water. The component further includes a first planar element coupled on one end with the first sponson-shaped element and coupled on another end to a hull on one side of the seaplane, wherein the first planar element allows a passenger to stand on it. In one alternative, the component further comprises a second sponson-shaped element that provides buoyancy in water and a second planar element coupled on one end with the second sponson-shaped element and coupled on another end to the hull on another side of the seaplane, wherein the second planar element allows a passenger to stand on it.

Abstract: A system for controlling landing gear of an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor for sensing water, wherein the sensor is coupled to the landing gear and a retracting device for retracting the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In one alternative, the aircraft is an amphibious aircraft and the sensor senses electrical conductivity. In another alternative, the retracting device comprises a hydraulic system for deploying and retracting the landing gear, wherein the hydraulic system retracts the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In yet another alternative, the retracting device comprises a locking mechanism that locks the landing gear to the aircraft, wherein the locking mechanism unlocks the landing gear so as to detach it from the aircraft when the sensor senses a body of water.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a. first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure. to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: A composite article, for example a blading member of a gas turbine engine, comprising a plurality of stacked layers of in-plane reinforcing fibers bonded together with a matrix resin is provided with enhanced resistance to impact cracking, material loss and/or delamination through use of a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing pins disposed into the article at an angle to the stacked layers, in one form disposed in a selected article region generally to resist strain energy generated during operation of the region. In another form, enhanced resistance is provided through the combination of a matrix resin including properties comprising a tensile strain property of at least 5% and a K1c toughness of at least about 850 psi·inch1/2, and a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing pins disposed into the article at an angle to the stacked layers.